page_title: Airbus A330 MRTT
section_title: Australia
hierarchical_section_title: Airbus A330 MRTT / Operational history / Australia
caption_attribution_description: Centenary of Military Aviation 2014 Air Show (RAAF Williams, Point Cook)
context_page_description: The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330.
  A total of 12 nations have placed firm orders for approximately 60 aircraft, of which 42 had been delivered by 31 January 2020.
  A version of the A330 MRTT, the EADS/Northrop Grumman KC-45, was proposed to the United States Air Force for their aerial tanker replacement program but was not successful.
context_section_description: Designated as KC-30A, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) A330 MRTTs are equipped with both an Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and two Cobham 905E under-wing refuelling pods. The aircraft are powered by two General Electric CF6-80E1A3 engines. Australia initially arranged to procure four aircraft with an option to obtain a fifth; this option for a fifth aircraft was exercised to allow for two simultaneous deployments of two aircraft, the fifth being for contingency coverage. Australian KC-30A are operated by No. 33 Squadron RAAF based at RAAF Base Amberley. Australia's aircraft are configured for 270 passengers plus 34,000 kilograms of cargo.
  In 2005, the RAAF expected deliveries to begin in 2008 and end in 2010. Deliveries fell two years behind schedule,  partly due to delays in developing the boom. On 30 May 2011, KC-30A A39-003, the third converted A330, arrived at RAAF Base Amberley and was formally handed over on 1 June 2011. The second A330 conversion, A39-002 was handed over to the RAAF on 22 June 2011. On 3 December 2012, the fifth KC-30A was delivered to the RAAF. In July 2013, there were reportedly delays to the KC-30A's full service entry due to refuelling system issues, including the hose-and-drogue system passing too much fuel.
  In August 2013, the KC-30A made its debut as a VIP transport, ferrying Prime Minister Rudd and an entourage to Al Minhad Air Base, United Arab Emirates. In August 2014, Defence Minister David Johnston announced the intention to buy two more KC-30As, one with a VIP layout for the Prime Minister's use. In July 2015, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews announced the order of two additional KC-30s, based on A330-200s previously operated by Qantas, to be delivered in 2018. In 2016, it was decided to add a "modest" VIP fitout, including seating, meeting spaces and communication facilities, to a single KC-30, which remains primarily used as a tanker. In 2015, the ordering of a sixth and seventh KC-30A was announced by the Australian government. The 2016 Defence White Paper noted a possible rise in the fleet's size to nine to support new RAAF aircraft like the P-8A Poseidon.
  On 22 September 2014, the RAAF deployed an Air Task Group, including F/A-18F Super Hornets, a KC-30A and an E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, as part of a coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq. The KC-30 started operations days after arriving in the UAE, refueling coalition aircraft over Iraq. On 6 October 2014, the RAAF made their first combat missions over Iraq via two Super Hornets supported by the KC-30.
  In December 2016 an RAAF KC-30 conducted air-to-air refueling trials with a US Air Force B-1B bomber.
caption: KC-30A refueling demonstration with F/A-18A Hornets
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